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Date:

September 9, 1839

Extent:

4p

Summary:

The following document is a letter written from Jane Bell in Cornplanter, PA, to her sister Sarah Bell, dated September 9, 1839. Jane writes about the death of their cousin Eliza's husband and the the great tribulations Eliza now faces as a widow raising children and caring for her elderly mother. Jane explains how she wishes to raise one of Eliza's daughters as a service to her cousin.

Will you forgive me for not answering your last letter before this time I know you would, if you could have seen how very busy I have been for some weeks past. We have had 3 of Mr. Wm [William] Bells sons of Pittsburg [Pittsburgh] staying here for a month and only left two days ago. The oldest is 17 — and is a very promising youth, indeed they are all very interesting, and I am indebted to them for more of a home feeling than I have experienced since I have been here. Could I see more of our relations, particularly my own family or rather some of my father's I should be better reconciled to the seperation [separation] from the others. At present I feel quite low spirited, and am in constant dred [dread] that each mail will bring me an account of my father's death.

Have you heard of the death of Mr. Smith husband of Cousin Eliza of Missouri ? he died on the 12th of July after an illness of only 24 hours, and left Eliza a widow with four children, and an aged mother

to provide for. she says if she had the means of going to Philadelphia , she could not go with her mother, she is so infirm she wrote to me 12 days after her husbands death, and then she had, not had any of her neighbors to visit her in her affliction, at least not one of them had staid [stayed] a night with her, she compl[gap] very much of their neglect and says she does not find them like her Virginia neighbors were in trouble, Poor woman! how sincerely do I pity her, I wish she lived near to me, that I might be some comfort to her, I intend to ask her to let me have one of her daughters to raise for her, I will treat as if she were my own, with all a mother's fondness and tenderness, such as my lamented Aunt [unclear: showed ] for me — if she will let me have one, and Mr Bell thinks she will, (you know Eliza is quite a favorite of his) and he will cheerfully do what he can for her, at present he cannot give any pecuniary aid though it will be some relief to have one of her children educated for her — I wish my father's circumstances would [unclear: admit ]

of his aiding her, you know what obligations he owes to her for his mismanagement of her father's estate. Write to her it is the least you can do, to express that sympathy which I know you all feel

We are all well here, and Mr Bell so very busy attending to the building of his Grist mill, that he scarcely takes time to eat or sleep; but living in a continual excitement agrees with him, he is well, and contented — You [gap] excuse me from writing any more [gap] this time, it is late on Saturday and I am so tired after the usual cleaning, and washing 13 windows that I feel a desire to rest — Remember me affectionately to all enquiring friends All this family unite in love to [added: you] all Why does not Wm [William] write to me? I fear he will become so wedded to his farm as to neglect some important duties, not to write to me is to neglect a duty, tell him, I say so, and if he knew how much I think, and speak of him he would consider me entitled to some token of his regard. Write soon, and believe me

In a scrap book which I gave you, you will find some lines [unclear: beginning ]

Nor differs much the subject of the strain Copy all the lines and send them to me, a lady friend having heard me repeat them is very desirous of having them. I believe I could write them from memory but I